2015 Holiday Gift Guide

Saturday, July 31, 2010

I have to tell you about a bracelet I was recently sent. I have to tell you, this is adorable!

This company is called My Mommy's Bracelets. I loved shopping through the store! Vanessa has so many products and really cute items. Check some of these out below.

This is the Mommy Bracelet called Vanessa. It is a Sterling Silver bracelet.The next ones I saw that I really liked was the Mommy and Baby Bracelets. These are really beautiful sets!Now, all of these were the nice but the one I chose to review, was the Big Sister Charm Bracelet. This is part of the Big Sister, Little Sister jewelry.I really like how cute this is. Very well-made as far as I can tell. My little sister(who is also a big sister) was the person who wound up getting this bracelet as a gift. She has worn it several times and she wears it throughout the day. It has not come off at all and it doesn't feel like it will. I reviewed a bracelet for me before, and it broke within a week. Just not made very well. This is not that way. It will last for a while, so long as her wrist stays small enough:DIt comes with a little charm, which I am sure you can see in the picture, that says 'Big Sister" and it also has a genuine Swarovski Crystal dangle with her birthstone. Normally if you get both the big and lil sister bracelet, it comes with both of their birthstones on one dangle.Overall, I was very impressed with this bracelet. It would make a very nice gift for your younger ones or for a little lady who is growing up:)

Now, Vanessa has offered my readers a 10% discount on any of her sites. She has Engraved Name Jewelry, Baby Girl Bracelets, and the one I reviewed from, My Mommy Bracelets. So you can order anything, there is no minimum at all, and get 10% off when you use "GIVEAWAYGAL10" as a code. This is for August 1st through the 4th. So please, head over to either of these sites and check it out. You seriously might find something you want to purchase! These would make perfect gifts! Believe me:)

Hey ya'll, I only have a couple minutes right now but I had to tell you about another giveaway I was just told about. Jan over at Write About Now, has a giveaway for The Victor. She is not going to pick a winner until she gets 25 followers. She only has 15 right now!! And you get 2 comments. So head over there and show her some love and following:D

Friday, July 30, 2010

Charlotte Vance is a young woman who knows what she wants. But when the man she planned to marry joins the Shakers--a religious group that does not marry--she is left dumbfounded. And when her father brings home a new wife who is young enough to be Charlotte's sister, it is more than she can bear. With the country--and her own household--on the brink of civil war, this pampered gentlewoman hatches a plan to avoid her new stepmother and win back her man by joining the Shaker community at Harmony Hill. Little does she know that this decision will lead her down a road toward unforeseen peace--and a very unexpected love. Ann H. Gabhart brings alive the strikingly different worlds of the Southern gentry, the simple Shakers, and the ravages of war to weave a touching story of love, freedom, and forgiveness that sticks with readers long after they have turned the last page.

MY THOUGHTS-I have never read anything by this author before so it was a nice change. This is also the first novel I have read about the Shakers. I have read some about Mennonites and Amish but never about the Shakers. I really did enjoy the book but one thing I did not care for was when the author changed the perspective of just letters between the two people. Otherwise, this was a very interesting book.

Available July 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Hey everyone, I have another review I am trying to get up this evening but I wanted to tell you real quick about a Christian Fiction book giveaway I was told about. Remember the one I told you about earlier this month? She only had 26 entries? Well, she just posted an interview with Roseanna White plus a giveaway!! And it has no comments yet:) So hurry over and get your entries in. There are ways to get multiple entries also. It ends 8/10. Support her in her first-ever interview and you just might be the winner in this giveaway. So, quick, go over to The Legacy of A Writer!!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Hey everyone!! Today I have for you, a review of an Etsy shop along with a giveaway!!I love when things are handmade. To me, it makes each piece different and unique in it's own way. I have won giveaways before from Etsy shops and I think they are really great. And so I was overjoyed when Elizabeth, from USAFwife08, agreed to allow me the privilege of reviewing her site. And!! She was so kind and offered a giveaway of one of her tan Totes!!! There are soo many ways you could use this tote. Believe me, I would love one myself:)Now, I spent a little bit shopping through her store. She does a lot of crocheting baby items but there were other items I found that were neat as well.

I also liked her Quilted Pillow Case. This is a Patchwork Case and is very cute:)Then I looked through her jewelry. I like that these are simple but elegant at the same time. This Turquoise Bead Bracelet is something you could wear with a casual outfit or for a date night.

I have to say, one of the things I most liked about her shop is that her items are very cheap! I have been on some Etsy stores where the prices are more than I would pay in the store. But Elizabeth has very fair prices and much of her stuff is on sale right now. Overall, I would give this shop 5 stars!!

Now, Elizabeth has answered some questions I had for her and you can read them below.

Elizabeth, how did you choose the name of your shop? I wanted my shop name to be me own name. It was the name of one of the mother's of King Henry's wives. I thought it was kind of catchy. However, to find my shop on Etsy, you have to search for the user name which I wasn't aware of for some reason so I suppose my shop name is usafwife08, which is based off my husband who is in the Air Force. Don't know what you can make out of that answer! lol. I wanted my shop name to be Elizabeth Howard but you can't search for it in the search data base, if that makes sense.When did you know you wanted to open a shop on Etsy?The moment I heard about the site I knew it was something I wanted to do. I knew several people who had friends who where using the site. I went and checked it out and I really loved it. I was trying to start my own website but I found that the community atmosphere of other people also selling handmade things would be more helpful and I would probably make more sales on a site such as Etsy.How long have you been making items to sell?I started earlier this year. Sales have been slow for me but they have started to pick up a little since I have been making summer items.What type of items do you specialize in?I started out making baby crochet items but they didn't seem to be selling as fast as I wanted so I whipped out the good old sewing machine and I am now making just about anything. My totes have sold out so I am really excited about that and I may start specializing in making totes. However, I will probably continue to make napkins, blankets and baby booties along with any other item I feel like making.

Is there any advice you can give to someone who is looking at opening their own store?My advice would be to ask a lot of questions, especially toward the veterans on Etsy. I learned a lot about what to do and what not to do on Etsy. Here are some examples:Make sure you have a product that is marketable. For the most part you know if it really could be, just be honest with yourself. As far as shops go, make sure you have clean crisp photos. Have good descriptions of each item along with the dimensions. Make sure your shop pleasing to the eye, a place someone would want to come back and visit. Besides that, never give up! The economy is slow right now and I think that is keeping a lot of people from buying. So, just hang in there and keep trek-in away.

What do you enjoy most about having your own shop?I personally love to see the feedback! I love to hear that each person has honestly enjoyed the product and that they would want to come back to my store! It really makes me happy to see other people happy and excited about what I make.

READERS-Elizabeth has offered one of these totes for giveaway. No, it does not come with the stuff in it:) You get to fill it with what you want if you win it!! Read below and follow the instructions to enter the giveaway. You MUST follow directions.

MANDATORY ENTRY-Go to USAFwife08 and look around her store. Then come back and tell me in a comment an item you would like. It cannot be one I have named above!! You do not have to leave the product link but it has to be something in her shop.

EXTRA ENTRIES- Please leave a separate comment for each entry. If you get 3 entries, leave 3 comments. That way you get all your entries. I only put in however many entries are listed, so if you put in 3 entries in one comment, you only get one comment.

1.Tell me something you would carry in this tote or what you would use it for.2.Add USAFwife08 to your favorite sellers. You must be a member of Etsy to do this.3.Follow Elizabeth on Twitter.4.Buy an item from Elizabeth's store. 5 entries on this. I will check with Elizabeth though to make sure the item was purchased.5.Follow me on Twitter.6.Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect.7.Subscribe to my blog via RSS Feed.8.Tweet about this giveaway. Can be done 3 times a day. Please space them out. Also, please use the #giveaway hashtag and @ElishebaH9.Blog or post about this on Facebook. 3 entries on this one as well.10. Email this to a friend. You can get one entry for up to 5 people. So 5 is the most you can get for this entry.

Hi Brenda,
Thanks for being with us today!
Can you tell me when you started writing Christian novels?

I’ve always wanted to write. I wrote my first book when I was in the third grade and another one in the fifth grade. But in 2004 after taking the Bible study, Write His Answer, at my church, I knew that God spoke to me through that study to dedicate my writing to inspirational novels. I started to finish the novel I was working on that had been tucked away in a desk drawer at my brother’s suggestion. I’m so glad that I did now.

Can you tell me a little about your newest book?

A Love of Her Own is the story of April McBride from my first book, No Place for a Lady. She’s a fine horsewoman but spoiled and self-centered. She’s always had everything she ever wanted except true love. When she travels to Montana to attend her brother’s wedding, she gets more than she bargains for after meeting horse trainer, Wes Owen. They couldn’t be more opposite, except for their love of horses. April has always relied on her father’s money, her beauty and intelligence but has never tapped into the true source of a higher power. She finds out that love based on grace pays no favorites. April’s character grows in ways that create a true self-worth and love for others in April.

When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?

I like the reader to know that God loves us right where we are in our humanness, in spite of our weaknesses and flaws. We make mistakes, we put ourselves before others, say things we don’t mean, etc. but, we can change then grow to become be the best we can be if we allow God to guide our lives.

Is there someplace you have always wanted to go?

Yes, I’d like to visit Ireland. My maiden name was O’Neal, so I’m a little bit Irish. It’d be a great place to go.

Any thoughts for aspiring writers?

Never give up your dream of writing! Mine started at an early age, then I married and raised my children. But writing was always in my heart and on my mind. I wrote off and on through the years, but it finally clicked somehow that this wasn’t going to happen unless I did something about it beside dream. Writing is work and it’s a job, so you have to treat it as such, but a there’s a lot of pleasure in seeing your book published, holding your book in your hands, then have readers tell you how much they enjoyed your stories. That is worth all the work that you put into it! With perseverance, your dream can become real. Just do it and stop wasting time on things that don’t really matter!

And any last thoughts for your readers? Where can they connect with you?

Thanks for having me, Charity. I’d like to thank all the readers who’ve contacted me. Every email or handwritten note is precious to me and makes me continue to work hard to come up with another story they’ll enjoy. You can find me at www.southernbellewriter.com and I’m working on a creating a website. I’m also a resident blogger at www.bustlesandspurs.com.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Well, Here is the giveaway for today! Should have another review and giveaway up tomorrow also. This is going to be a fast one! It ends on the 31st. I will pick a winner on the 1st of August.

Have you ever received a hand-written note from someone that you saved, because it meant so much to you? That you pull out every now and again, because it brings a smile to your face. Or, is there someone you feel that could really use a note from you right now? A friend that’s going through a rough time in a relationship, letting her know you’re there for her. Your mom, just an out of the blue card telling her how much she means to you. Your husband, thanking him for supporting you, loving you, and being the husband that he is. A blogger friend that you’ve maybe never met in person but just want to tell them how much their friendship means to you. There is a special power of a hand-written, personalized note card. Not only does it mean so much to the recipient, it’s an amazing feeling when you drop that card in the mail.

In honor of these special moments, Pear Tree Greetings is giving one of you a free set of personalized note cards (up to 16 cards) from their new collection.

Howdy everyone! I wanted to tell you about a summer giveaway over at Kitchen Belleicious. The winner gets their choice of note cards from Ebeepaperie. This ends the 6th of August and has low comments. These are some really cute note cards ladies!! You might just be the winner:) Go check it out at Kitchen Belleicious.

Hey everyone! Today we have an author interview and I will probably have time for a review and giveaway later this evening. Just really busy this week.Now, this author is having her birthday today so please stop by and give her some birthday love!Suzanne Fisher is the author of many books and her newest one is titled Amish Proverbs. I will be reviewing this book when it comes out and I am telling you, this book looks very nice! There will also be a giveaway involved:)

How long have you known you wanted to be an author?I’ve loved to write since I was a young teen. With that said…I don’t remember anyone ever thinking I had any particular talent as a writer! Ever! But I just loved to write…so I wrote and kept writing. I was on the college newspaper, and after college, I started to freelance for magazines and became a contributing editor for Christian Parenting Today magazine.

Can you tell me a little bit about your newest book?

Amish Proverbs releases on August 1st. It’s a hardback gift book filled with gorgeous photography (some pictures are mine!), and more than two hundred proverbs I’ve collected from the Amish, plus true stories about the Amish that introduce the topic. This little book is already in its 2nd printing!

Here's a sampling:"Think all you speak, but do not speak all that you think.""It isn't the whistle that pulls the train.""If hard work is the key to success, most folks would rather pick the lock."

When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come awaywith?

Certainly, if someone is interested in the Amish and in simple living, they will love this book. These proverbs and sayings uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history, and essence of the Amish people. They come out of the Penn Dutch culture—with its tradition of an oral language. Proverbs (just like those in the Bible) serve as teaching tools and maxims for practical living--but they're not just for the Amish. They're for anyone who seeks God's wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances.

What is the funniest moment you have had while writing?

Actually, the funniest moments lately have been hosting my weekly radio show, “Amish Wisdom” on toginet.com. Every single week, I mess up in some way! Big blunders! I’ve said “my breast” instead of “my guest.” Last week, I was introducing a book titled “Hurry Less, Worry Less”…and my notes said, “Hurry Less, Work Less.” Stuff like that. Mortifying!

Is there a place you have always wanted to visit? A vacation spot,historical monument, overseas, etc?

Someday, I would love to go to Israel on a tour with a very knowledgeable guide—someone who knows this land and knows his Bible.

If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?Philip Yancey, my favorite author. And Billy Graham, who worked with my grandfather in the early days of Christianity Today.

What one event would you love to be at? Historical or future?

Wow, Charity! These are such great questions! I would have loved to be a bystander at the empty tomb of Jesus on Easter morning, and seen the look on the women’s faces (disciples, too) when the angel told them, “He is not here! He has risen!” Can you imagine a more pivotal moment in human history—hopeless grief transformed to utter joy? The Redeemer lives!

Do you have a favorite hobby?

I raise puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. I’ve raised seven so far! It’s like eating a potato chip. You can’t stop after one. Love the dogs, love the people, love the organization.

Is there something about you most people wouldn't know?

I am a closet bird watcher (called a “birder”). I just love birds! Hearing them in the morning, listening for the screech owl in the redwood trees at night (by the way, a screen owl has a hooting sound. It’s the barn owl that has a screech!).

Do you have any suggestions for the aspiring writer?

So many that I don’t even know where to begin! This is such a hard field—no one is looking for you. In fact, editors are looking through your work with the intention of dismissing it. Breaking through requires such perseverance. And yet! It’s worth it. Take your writing seriously, without taking yourself too seriously…and it will happen for you.Any last thoughts for your readers?

Thank you, thank you, dear readers! It means so much to me that you would give up your time and your hard earned money to buy a book of mine. I value each one of you. And I want to do my part by making each book better than the one before. I read every letter and e-mail, I listen to comments, I appreciate constructive feedback, I work hard at my craft.

And how can they connect with you?

Please do! It is a thrill to connect to readers! My website is probably the easiest way to find me: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com I’m also on Facebook and Twitter.

If you'd like to be included in Suzanne's quarterly (more or less) newsletter--to hear about giveaways and keep up-to-date, pop her an e-mail:suzanne@suzannewoodsfisher.com

Thanks for having me today! By the way, it’s my birthday today! No place I'd rather be!

Friday, July 23, 2010

I know some of you readers have been waiting for a book giveaway as I haven't had many recently. Well, here is your chance:) Today we have Lisa Wingate with us and she will be giving away a copy of her book, Beyond Summer.

Thank you for being with us today, Lisa!!Can you tell me a little bit about your newest book?A: Beyond Summer is really a story pulled from today’s economic headlines. In a time when reversals of fortune have become common due to mortgage problems and over-extended family budgets, many people are finding themselves in circumstances and living situations they never expected to face. In the previous book in the series, The Summer Kitchen, the Blue Sky Hill neighborhood was under siege by unscrupulous development companies. It occurred to me to wonder whether some of the CEOs of those companies, who collect paychecks while remaining comfortably above the dirty work, really understand the devastation their faulty mortgages can cause to a family of moderate means. Then, I wondered what would happen if one of those comfortably-wealthy families lost everything and ended up with no place left to live but a tiny house in Blue Sky Hill, right across the street from one of their intended victims. If identities weren’t revealed, would the families become friends? Would they begin to lean on one another and care about one another? What would happen when the truth came out? Beyond Summer is a story families, friendships, and about community--how we find it, what it means, and how strong communities help us to survive in difficult times.

When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?A: Hope. I want to write books that contribute something positive to the world and to the lives of readers, that build faith and are good for the soul.

Is there a place you have always wanted to visit? A vacation spot, historical monument, overseas, etc?A: Alaska! There’s just something about the lure of places that are still so pristine, that remain so much the way they were when God made them that is incredibly alluring, and I’m happiest outdoors, anyway.If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be? A. Mark Twain and Will Rogers. I so admire the abilities of both of these men to see the humor in so many of the issues that cause division in our country and our world. Humor is the universal bridge, and we could use more of it.

What one event would you love to be at? Historical or future?A: The moment when Louis and Clark finally reached the ocean, or maybe one of the wagon trains westward (any train other than the Donner’s). Even though I’m hooked on the conveniences of modern life, there’s a little pioneer spirit in me, I think.

Do you have a favorite hobby?A: Other than reading, writing, raising kids, and various volunteer jobs, one of my passions has always been horses. I can remember being horse-crazy from the age of three or four. I’m not sure why, because we lived in costal Florida, and horses were rare there, but still I yearned for one. It was the only thing in my Christmas list for years, but I guess Santa couldn’t get the horse trailer attached to his sleigh. When I was around ten, my parents finally said I could have a horse if I saved my own money and bought it. Horses being expensive, I think they felt safe making this commitment. I was determined, however, and within about a year, I bought a scrappy little albino mixed-breed horse who was cheap because she was too underweight even for the canners. I didn’t know she wasn’t much to look at. She was beautiful in my eyes, and the rest is history. We’ve had horses ever since.

As a teenager, I was also a gymnast, harboring big dreams of going to the Olympics. Unfortunately, along with the gymnast in my head was the horse lover with dreams of winning the National Finals Rodeo, and a book lover with dreams of writing novels. One dream out of three isn’t bad!

Is there something about you most people wouldn't know? A: That I was almost an Olympic gymnast and a rodeo champion (well okay, I wanted to be), but I became a writer instead.

Do you have any suggestions for the aspiring writer? A: First, finish a novel. It’s almost impossible to sell a partial if you’re unpublished. Polish it and send it out, because as much as we’d like them to, editors won’t come looking in your desk drawer. While you’re waiting for news, write another book. If the first one sells, you’ll be set for a two-book deal. If the first one doesn’t sell, you have eggs in another basket. Don’t take a critique too seriously if you hear it from one editor/agent, unless there’s an imminent contract involved. Editors and agents, just like the rest of us, are individuals. What works for one may not work for another. If you receive the same comment from multiple sources, consider revising your manuscript before you send it elsewhere. Be tenacious, be a thick-skinned as possible, keep writing while you wait for news. Never stop creating new material—that’s where the joy is, and if you keep the joy of this business, you keep the magic of it.

Any last thoughts for your readers?A: Just thanks, really. You are really my partners in this journey. Readers-friends, especially the ones who take the time to write to me about the books, to share life experiences, to share the books with others, post reviews, and to send notes of encouragement are truly precious. Writing stories, as much fun as it is, wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without being able to send those stories out into the world, and knowing they’ve found loving hands and creative minds who enjoy living imaginary lives as much as I do!

And how can they connect with you?A: I love keeping in touch with readers and sharing the stories behind the stories. Readers can find me on my website http://www.Lisawingate.com. Just for signing up for the e-newsletter, you’ll be entered in a monthly drawing for a free, autographed book! Readers can and also find me on Facebook or Youtube.

Thanks so much for being here today!!

READERS-To enter for the giveaway, leave a comment telling me what state Lisa's last series was settled in. You will have to go to her website but it is on the front page. You MUST do this entry or the extra entries will not count.

EXTRA ENTRIES-1.Become a follower of my blog.2.Subscribe to my blog through my RSS Feed.3.Follow me on Twitter.4.Tweet about this giveaway. Can be done twice a day.5.Blog or post about this on Facebook. You get 3 entries for this so leave 3 comments. Only one time though.6.Sign up for Lisa's email newsletter. It is on the front page in the right-hand sidebar. And you get the chance of winning a prize through her newsletter list!

This giveaway will end 7/30. Winner will be chosen through Random.org.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

CSN is a wonderful store with over 200 online stores!! They have everything from dinnerware, pet products, bedding, baby toys, etc. You really need to check out this website!!

And guess what, I had the opportunity to either review a product or give one of my readers the chance at winning a $50 gift certificate. Well, since I did a review the last time, I figured I would pass the chance on to all my blog readers!! That's right! One of you will be able to go over to CSN and pick out something for $50:) Doesn't it sounds lovely! Believe me, I had second thoughts:D

There are seriously sooo many items you can choose from! Look at some of these below.

And there are bowl sets also. Couldn't you use some of these in your house:)

AND, many of them are free shipping right now which means you could possibly get 2 items or sets!!

READERS-To enter the giveaway, please follow the instructions. I am finding many are not doing the mandatory entry and I cannot choose a winner who has not done this. THIS IS FOR US and CANADA ONLY

MANDATORY ENTRY-Go over to CSN and looks around. Then come back and leave a comment with something you would to put in your house.

Extra Entries-1.Become a follower of my blog through GFC.2.Subscribe to my blog via the RSS Feed.3.Follow me on Twitter.4.Tweet about this giveaway. Can be done 3 times a day.5.Blog or post about this giveaway. I am giving 3 extra entries on this. So if you post this on Facebook, leave 3 comments. Can only be done once though.6.Follow CSN on Twitter.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Hi everyone!! I know it has been a little bit since I was on here. Just been very busy with family camp and all:) I do have some things lined up and I know you will love them!

Our first product review in line is a really neat item!! I was so happy I got the opportunity to review this. And I will also be able to give one of you the chance at winning one for yourself!! So please read on:)Everyone knows I love coffee. I have made that very obvious on here with all the items and products I like with either coffee scents or coffee flavors:D Well, I was given the opportunity to review a coffee mug called a Brugo Mug. Now I know you will say, a mug is a mug, but this one is very different!

Liquid quickly enters BRUGO's patented Temperature Control Chamber.

It's instantly adjusted to the perfect temperature, while the remaining coffee stays hottest and most aromatic.

Basically, the concept of the Brugo Mug is that people were tired of getting a cup of coffee, it being too hot to drink at first and then you only get a little bit of time before the coffee is cold. I gotta tell you, this is a wonderful idea! This ingenious mug has a temperature control chamber that cools off only the little amount you need for a sip or two. That way, the rest of the coffee stays hot but you can get a couple sips that are cool enough to drink right away!! And it works! I was kind of doubtful that it would work, but it does. I tried it using some hot coffee, and I even used it with iced coffee. The liquid in the rest of the mug stayed the temperature it started at and the stuff in the chamber was perfectly drinkable. Without scalding my tongue:D

I got the mug in the Executive Color of Seaglass. They have lots of different colors and there are perfect choices for a business person, a construction worker or just a mom who likes to get her coffee perk:)

Readers, to enter the giveaway, please follow the mandatory entry. I can't say it often enough. One of the last giveaways I had that ended the other day, one winner was chosen but she had not followed directions so another winner was chosen. PLEASE follow instructions closely!!

MANDATORY ENTRY- Go to the Brugo Mug website and tell me something you learned about this mug. You MUST go to their site.

Morrow Little is haunted by the memory of the day her family was torn apart by raiding Shawnee warriors. Now that she is nearly a grown woman and her father is ailing, she must make difficult choices about the future. Several men--ranging from the undesired to the unthinkable--vie for her attentions, but she finds herself inexplicably drawn to a forbidden love that both terrifies and intrigues her. Can she betray the memory of her lost loved ones--and garner suspicion from her friends--by pursuing a life with him? Or should she seal her own misery by marrying a man she doesn't love? This sweeping tale of romance and forgiveness will envelop readers as it takes them from a Kentucky fort through the vast wilderness to the west in search of true love.

MY THOUGHTS- I have to tell you, I read the first book this author published and I loved it! And I almost liked this one better than the first one. She has a style totally all her own. I have never read another book with this style:)

In reading this book, I did see some characters from her previous book, The Frontiersman's Daughter. One of the things I really liked about this book, was that Morrow marries Red Shirt. That was the one thing I was so sad over in her first book. So this totally made me happy:)

You definitely want to pick up a copy of this book!! I can't say it enough:) You will love it!

Available July 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Christian church is falling apart and in desperate need of a revival. According to professor Sweet (The Church in Emerging Culture: Five Perspectives) and bestselling author Viola (From Eternity to Here), what is lacking is a groundbreaking revelation of Christ that boggles the mind and enraptures the heart. Expanding on the authors 2009 online manifesto, this insistent, impassioned essay condemns as pharisaic those preachers who forgo a Christ-centered theology in favor of a cute, singular slogan or mission. The authors urge churches to focus on the man who embodies the entire religion. To do so, readers must learn the subtle distinction between following Christ and realizing Christ already lives within them. Some may find this message controversial, even pantheistic. Yet the biblical passages show the message is rooted in Scripture. The authors provide a lot to digest, but quotations from poets and philosophers break up the text and help readers grasp abstract concepts. Though most applicable to pastors and seminarians, all Christian readers will discover a new perspective and deeper purpose.

I received a copy of this book for review purposes and wasn't sure how I was going to like it. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised:) The authors do an excellent job in writing and I had no problem following along and understanding what was being talked about. I am always kind of leery about this type of book because many times when someone writes about not following Christ but that Christ lives in us. It almost sounds like you don't have to follow Christ at all. But the authors were very plain and clear about when you let Christ live through you, you will follow Him and let Him lead you. This would be a great book for someone who studies or for a Church library. Definitely a good read.

I received a copy of this book from BookSneeze for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Hey everyone,I am going to be fast today as I only have a little bit of time. But I just had to tell you about this new product line that is being launched. Remember I have told you before that I love coffee? Well, what if I told you that there is a new line of bath products that smell like coffee? This is sooo great!! I cannot wait to try these out! They are being launched by Barista Bath and Body. You just might want to check out this new line. They all have great names like Perk It Up, Triple Shot, Room For Cream, Make Mine Black, etc. Now, these are also all natural products. And they are the first full beauty line to leverage the revitalizing benefits of coffee by making organic coffee a primary ingredient in it's flagship products. Seriously, you have got to look at this site!!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Kate Evans is an adventurous and independent young woman with a pioneering spirit. She pilots a mail-delivery plane in the forbidding Alaskan wilderness, the lone woman in a male profession. But even that seems easy compared to finding true love. She likes a fellow pilot and would even consider marrying him--if it weren't for Paul, a mysterious man on her mail route with a gentle spirit and a past to hide. Can Kate break through the walls Paul has put up around his heart? And will her quest for adventure be her demise? Book 1 in the Alaskan Skies series, Touching the Clouds will draw readers in with raw emotion and suspense, all against the stunning backdrop of the Alaskan wilds.

MY THOUGHTS- This is the first time I have read anything by Bonnie Leon. It was a pleasurable read. A little bit predictable but if that is your type, you will love this book. Kate is quite a brave and courageous woman who takes on a male profession of piloting to the wilderness in Alaska. But I like how it shows she is not all fearless, as the name of her plane would imply. I did have a problem with the time period changes. A little difficult to keep up with. Otherwise a pleasant read:)

Thanks to Donna Hausler for the review copy. I did not receive an monetary compensation for my review and thoughts of this book.Available July 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Andie Ryborg has nowhere else to go. Her father’s campaign for governor and his aggressive war on drugs has chased her from their family home. Drawn to Miami’s exotic Coconut Grove, Andie hopes to find a quiet refuge where she can discover herself apart from the public eye. But even in that seclusion, even with an officer assigned to protect her, Andie’s privacy has been violated. Someone is watching…

Evan Markham’s entire life has been a tug-of-war between what is and what could be. He is drawn to a life that is beyond his reach and emotions have clouded his judgment. Evan knows that earning someone’s trust isn’t easy, especially when he plans to break it. But in the secret corridors of the criminal underworld, he knows what must be done, and he is determined to see it through. Whatever the cost…

When enemies close in, a sudden turn of events leaves them both questioning. Where is God in all of this? Who is this enigmatic stranger who offers to help? They both know their lives are in danger. But what about their hearts?

MY THOUGHTS-This was my first read by Sue Duffy and I was pleasantly surprised. Actually, I loved it! Her style of writing drew me into the book and I read it through in one day. Then, because I read it in one day, my sister wanted to read it as well. Personally I loved Evan. Very much wanting to get away from the life he was born into and wanting to do the right thing. I liked Andie but to me, she just wouldn't stay out of trouble:) The ending came as a surprise and the twist in this novel was nice. I hate a book where I can figure out who did it and how the book is going to end. Sure you know they are going to get married but how will everything work out? That was drawn out and I liked the way it went. Thanks Sue for writing a good clean novel!

I did receive a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation.